Touch Down Touch-ups Beauty consultants tell Suzanne Harrison what to take and what to leave at home when going on holidays Female Travelers take note: you don’t have to take the entire contents of your bathroom cabinet on holiday. Whether travelling for business or pleasure, no one wants to lug around a bulging bag of makeup “just in case”. If it’s filled with the wrong items for the destination, it’s a waste of space. But at the same time, makeup consultants say, arriving without your favorite product may mean you have to buy it again – or go without. “It’s really important to bring your favorite things with you,” says Eve Lindsay of Hong Kong makeup and style consultancy Colour Me Beautiful. “Although you might be tempted to take that gift eye shadow or moisturizer you received at the makeup counter, if you’ve never used it before, don’t take it. Take the old standbys you’re used to.” Most importantly, simple is best. Toni & Guy makeup director Kathy Carroll-Lea says that packing everything you own just makes for heavier luggage. “The main thing for all makeup kits is to keep it simple.” Carroll-Lea says you should pack only items that are regularly used. “All those bits and pieces kicking about in there that aren’t used add weight and confusion. Put them aside.” Although some people board the plane with no makeup and just a small bag for touch-up on landing, others still resort to the oversized makeup case popular in the 1950s – or something as unwieldy. It’s not the way to do it, says makeup artist Marie Rancoule-Vaucelle. Only a few items are necessary for those who can’t bear to go bare-faced on arrival. “One pressed powder (bronzing or natural), one blush, and one lipstick or lip gloss for just a touch-up before arrival,” Rancoule-Vaucelle says for short-haul flights. For long-haul the list is longer. “Pack a one-step makeup remover, a rich moisturizer – night cream rather than a day cream – a leg cream energizer, hand cream, mineral water spray, a deodorant and some cotton pads. Don’t hesitate to apply water and cream during the flight. “For the makeup before arrival, don’t put on any foundation, because your skin has suffered during the flight, so let it breathe. Just use a creamy blush to add colour, a lot of mascara and a bright lip-stick and lip gloss.” Importantly, take a hair brush or comb. If you really want to, bring an eye-brow pencil and a bronzing powder. Lindsay suggests taking your makeup bag on the plane. “Pack a small amount of a good facial moisturizer in your handbag and apply this every two hours,” she says. Rancoule-Vaucelle suggests decanting beauty products for the flight, instead of taking large bottles. “It’s going to be for a few hours and it’s cold inside the plane, so there’s no need to worry about damaging the formula.” she says. What about the makeup bag? What can be culled and what can be packed? Beauty consultants say it depends on the destination. If you’re off to the beach, include a good sunblock for the face and look at wearing foundation in the evenings, says Carroll-Lea. “If you must wear some level of cover by day, go for a tinted moisturizer and keep it light,” she says. “For the evening, enjoy the glow you have and keep foundation mostly on the under eye, nose and chin areas and not all over the face. “If you insist on taking your foundation to the pool or beach, decant a little into a plastic container and leave the bulk of it in your room, so it’s not compromised by the heat.” Sunscreen is also top of Lindsay’s list, whether you’re going on a beach holiday or skiing. But if you haven’t bought a new one since last year’s holiday, it might be time to do so. “Don’t try to make do with last year’s sunscreen,” she says. “After a year, the SPF protection won’t work as well.” Also, buy sunscreen before you go, because it’s more expensive in areas frequented by tourists. Carroll-Lea suggests packing the following items: · Cream or light matte shadow – for day · Cream or light shimmer shadow for evening · Basic neutral shadow in a deep tone brown, slate · Colour shadow that complements your eye tone and can be used wet or dry. This can be used as a wash of colour when dry or as an eyeliner when wet · Waterproof mascara is more versatile and durable in the heat. If not waterproof, keep on the top lashes only · Tanning powder gives your face depth and definition and a healthy glow · In the day, use a tinted lip gloss and massage well into the lips to keep it there · To lift this for the evening, apply a lip liner, filling in the entire lip gently and then apply gloss on top · Rather than taking all the lipsticks you think you might need, cut off a small amount and press into a lip palette · A simple glitter mascara or body and face shimmer can lift your makeup. Carroll-Lea also likes paper powder sheets to remove shine on the face, but not a powder compact. “Paper powders remove excess shine and leave a fine film that won’t make your makeup feel heavy, which reapplying from a compact can do,” she says. Lindsay suggests making a list of the items you normally use every day to help with the packing. The ideal travel cosmetics bag is one with elastic band holders that stop products from bouncing around. She also advices decanting favorites into smaller containers. “A good rule to remember is one tablespoon per day of liquid products, such as moisturizers, shampoos and conditioners,” Lindsay says. “And things leak, so it’s a good idea to pack your cosmetic travel case inside a plastic bag for the journey.” Some light maintenance before departure means less maintenance on holidays, Carroll-Lea says. “Get your lashes and brows shaped and tinted,” she says. “Taking the basic step ensures that, at the very least, you look groomed and enhanced, whether it’s in the pool or fresh out of bed.” Don’t be afraid to use cleansing cloths, says Lindsay. They can take the place of the normal routine such as makeup removal, cleansing, toning and exfoliation. They also mean no leaks.” A perfumed body lotion can take the place of body lotion and perfume,” Lindsay says. And don’t forget about hands and feet. On a beach holiday, sand may chip nail polish, so Lindsay suggests bringing a polish and remover pads. Rancoule-Vaucelle’s list of makeup items for a hot weather holiday is just the basics: “A bronzing powder, creamy blush, water resistant mascara, one or two sharp eye shadow colours and a lip gloss. “If you’re going to be in the sun, don’t overdo your makeup,” she says. “Just use it as an enhancer.”

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A weekly contributor to the South China Morning Post, Eve Roth Lindsay offered savvy advice to readers as a Glamour Guru since 2004. She has also been included in various media presentations and has been a featured guest on RTHK Backchat and RTHK Lunch Beat, giving insight into the latest fashion trends.